Student Organizations
Phi Mu Alpha
Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia is a professional men's music fraternity. It was founded in 1898 at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. There have been over 125,000 men initiated into the brotherhood of Sinfonia in the past ninety-eight years. Some of the composers and musicians who are brothers include: Duke Ellington, Andy Griffith, Luciano Pavarotti, Alfred Reed, "Mr. Rogers," Doc Severinsen, Robert Shaw, and many others.
The primary purpose for Sinfonia is to encourage and actively promote the highest standards of creativity, performance, education and research in music in America. The Gamma Delta chapter at Murray State was founded in 1938. Gamma Delta sponsors activities such as recitals and lectures, and provides donations and ushers for performances of area music associations. The chapter works with the Iota Beta chapter of SAI to sponsor CAMPUS LIGHTS, the annual musical presentation. Proceeds from CAMPUS LIGHTS go to fund scholarships in the Department of Music.
Membership in Phi Mu Alpha is open to any male musician, regardless of his academic major. The Fraternity holds an informational session soon after the beginning of classes in the fall semester and the probationary membership period (or pledge period) is held in the spring semester.
Campus Lights
Campus Lights, "the longest running student produced and performed musical in the South," was founded by the Gamma Delta Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America in 1938. The show was originated as a fund raiser to pay for the fraternity's charter. After chartering the Gamma Delta Chapter, the brothers decided to continue the Vaudevillian performances as a means to raise scholarship money for deserving prospective music majors who would attend Murray State University. During World War II, the sisters of Sigma Alpha Iota, Iota Beta Chapter, stepped in to "let the show go on" while the brothers of Gamma Delta went off to serve our country. Upon return from the war, a partnership emerged in an effort to keep the rich tradition that had begun with a concept called Campus Lights.
Today, the Gamma Delta Chapter and the Iota Beta Chapter continue to produce and perform shows. Campus Lights runs the last Thursday through Sunday of the month of January. Due to copyright laws, the organizations decided to perform musical theater works that are written by popular librettists and composers of our time. Recent performances have included: "Guys and Dolls", "Crazy for You", "The Music Man" and "The Wizard of Oz".
All proceeds from the show are given to the Department of Music and every four years one outstanding prospective student is honored with a full four-year scholarship to attend Murray State University.
The brothers of Gamma Delta and the sisters of Iota Beta gladly welcome your attendance at this year's show! Ticket information may be obtained by contacting the Murray State University Department of Music at 270.809.4288.
Sigma Alpha Iota
Sigma Alpha Iota is an international music fraternity. It is an organization whose purposes are to foster interest in music and to promote social contact among persons sharing this interest in accredited colleges and universities. Sigma Alpha Iota organizes its group life specifically to promote competence and achievement within its field. Sigma Alpha Iota has more than 300 collegiate and alumnae chapters all over the United States. The Iota Beta chapter was initiated at Murray State University in 1939.
The Iota Beta chapter promotes musical competence and understanding through its many community and university projects. The Sisterhood of the Iota Beta chapter supports the community mainly through the All Campus Sing fundraiser. ACS is a campus-wide singing and dancing competition. Its sole purpose is to raise money and instruments for the People to People Project and the local community. People to People is one of SAI's national philanthropies, which raises money and instruments to send to musicians all over the world. Other community projects include performing at local events and donating back to the middle and high schools that fostered the love of music in our current members.
CNAfME
The Collegiate chapter of the National Association for Music Education (CNAfME) is a key part of the career preparation of all future music educators. Collegiate membership is open to all students with an interest in music education. Its meetings help students prepare for a place in the field of music education. Guest speakers, student teacher forums, discussion of current issues in music education, and media/materials reviews are all a part of each year's program.
One membership payment enrolls students at the local chapter, state, and national levels. CNAfME members annually attend the state (KMEA) conference and the state CNAfME conference. Members also receive the Music Educators Journal and Teaching Music monthly throughout the school year. CNAfME is valued for its numerous opportunities for professional development.
MEISA
Music and Entertainment Industry Student Association (MEISA), is a student organization of music business majors dedicated to educating the community about the music and entertainment industry. MEISA seeks to help its members find internships that will lead to careers in this business.
MEISA promotes music, artists, and music events. The organization focuses on finding networking opportunities to help all members gain valuable connections within the music industry. Members regularly commute to Nashville to volunteer with professionals at various conferences and events.
Contact Karen Kane (kkane@murraystate.edu) for more information.